With warm weather coming, it's time to pull out your stash of t-shirts that you have piled up in the back of your closet.  I bet some of them are looking pretty sad.  Now they're only good to clean your car with.  It's time to update your wardrobe. 

 

There's nothing that says "Fashion Statement" quite like a Health Collective 25th Anniversary t-shirt.  These all cotton shirts come in white with green lettering or green with white lettering.  Not only do they look smart on you, but they let people know that you support the Health Collective and the programs and services that help so many people.  The cost is only $15.  Email jamieb@hglhc.org for an order form and email or mail it in. Also, the order forms will be available on our website shortly (you do know it's www.hglhc.org, right?). You'll look fab this summer in Ptown when you wear one of our shirts!

Linda Estabrook, Executive Director of the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective will receive a Masters of Public Health Degree on May 17, 2009.  In recognition of her work on the Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference, the 2009 graduate awards committee has honored Ms. Estabrook with the Susan S. Addiss Award. 
 
Susan S. Addiss Award
The Susan S. Addiss Award in Applied Public Health Practice is awarded to Linda M. Estabrook.  The award recognizes the graduating MPH student who best exemplifies the qualities of Susan Addiss: public health advocacy, leadership, demonstrated commitment to the community, and academic performance.
 
Ms. Addiss is former Commissioner of the CT Department of Public Health and Addiction Services. She had a long and exemplary career in state and local public health and served as President of the American Public Health Association as well as the Connecticut Public Health Association. She is long-standing chair of the UConn MPH Advisory Committee.

Planning for our signature youth event Queer Prom is really taking off! With a dedicated group of prom committee volunteers, staff, and other community members, this event is shaping up to be a great opportunity for LGBTQIA youth to take their dance the night away with the friends and partners.
 
Supporters of the Health Collective are stepping up and giving whatever they can to make this night special for LGBT youth from around the state. Thanks to the generous contributions of several folks from the community, we are well on our way to reaching our goal of raising $1,500. Consider becoming a sponsor of the Queer Prom for $100 or become a supporter of Queer Prom for $50. This is an opportunity to contribute to a great event that young people in the community look forward to every year, so any contribution level you can spare will make a huge difference. If you can't make a financial contribution, we can use always use more help with the event planning. All proceeds from the Queer Prom will support youth services programming, specifically Rainbow Room, a support and social group for queer youth and the Health Collective's scholarship.

 

Or, help by being a chaperon at the event this year.
 
The Queer Prom will be held on the evening of June 6th at in the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium (50 South Main Street, West Hartford).  For more information, please contact Matt Blinstrubas at matthewb@hglhc.org or 203-228-0324

 

The staff and board of the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective met on the evening in  April to discuss the work of the Health Collective, progress on 2008-2009 annual goals and objectives, and to develop plans for the 2009-2010 fiscal year which starts July 1, 2009.     
 
The Health Collective will be undertaking a long-term strategic process during the coming year.  We will utilize the expertise of a consultant to thoroughly analyze where we stand today and where are heading in the future. Updates on strategic planning will be provided periodically.
 
    2009-2010  Fiscal Year Goals
 
Goal #1
Continue to implement, innovate and evaluate our marketing strategy that maximizes engagement of our mission identified populations.
 
Goal #2
Diversify and expand fund development so that HGLHC can better meet the needs of clients and attain long term viability. 
 
Goal #3
Diversify and expand resource (e.g. people, facilities) development so that HGLHC can better meet the needs of clients and sustain long term viability.
 
Goal #4
Continue to develop effectiveness and usefulness of policies and procedures related to Human Resources and Financial Management.
 
Goal #5
Develop effectiveness and usefulness of Management Information Systems, Quality Management, Quality Assurance, and Client Utilization Data Management.
 
Goal #6
Explore viable service/program options to best meet the needs of the agency and clients.

 

Sam Lawrence was elected to the Board of Directors at the March 2009 meeting. An educator with nearly thirty years experience, he has served as a teacher, literacy specialist, department leader, administrator and university professor in both the public and independent sector. A Fulbright scholar, he earned an undergraduate degree from The College of St. Rose and advanced degrees from both the University at Albany and the University of Connecticut. Samand his partner, Brian, live in Rocky Hill and he is the father of two grown children - his son is a musician in Seattle and his daughter is a college administrator in upstate New York.
 
As a member of the Board, Sam is committed to actively supporting the mission and the strategic plan of the HGLHC andhopes to be a contributing member of both the Marketing and Fund Development committees. 

           Ask Donna ...

Q: My friend Michael lives in Fairfield County and cannot get to the Health Collective in Hartford.  He is uninsured, and doesn't have a doctor.  Where can he go to get STD screenings?

 

A: The State of CT Department of Public Health has several free or low cost STD Clinics in sixteen cities throughout the state.  They all offer confidential STD testing and treatment, and most offer HIV counseling and testing services, and Hepatitis vaccines as well. 

For specific testing sites, hours, fees, etc. log onto the CT-DPH website at ct.gov/dph.

Then under site search, enter STD Clinics, and the whole list will come up with all their specific details.  OR...call DPH at 860-509-7920 or FAX 860-509-7275.

 

Are YOU at risk for an STD?  Take the 5 minute online test.  Check stdwizard.org

And remember...

Be Well.  Be Yourself.